Monday, 29 March 2010

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Crohn's disease belongs to the group of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. It is a granulomatous (characterized by granulomas or a mass of inflamed granulation tissue) inflammation in the entire gastrointestinal tract that can occur anywhere from the mouth to the anus. Usually though, it occurs in the lower small intestine and in the colon, and less in the oesophagus or the mouth. A typical characteristic of Crohn's disease is discontinuous, segmental infestation, or so-called skip lesions of the intestinal mucosa.Crohn's disease commonly occurs among young adults. These people suffer from fatigue, pain in the lower right abdomen and (mostly bloodless) diarrhoea. Fever, severe weight loss, nausea and vomiting may also arise in some cases, although a manifestation of the disease without diarrhoea is also possible. The nature and perception of the symptoms vary from patient to patient. It is possible, for example, for someone with this ailment to experience a loss of appetite at the beginning and during the course of an inflammatory phase - also called a surge - while others experience pain and cramps throughout the lower and upper abdomen instead.Patients with Crohn's disease often show signs of malnutrition. Since the supply of energy and essential nutrients to the body is inadequate, Crohn's disease patients may show lower supplies of protein, vitamins A, D, folate, B12 and of the trace elements zinc and iron. Following the high loss of electrolytes and fluids in the body, patients also run the risk of getting dehydrated. In finding a way to improve the patient's condition, it should be noted that there's no one diet that can be applied to all patients, every diet plan needs to be created especially for each patient.TREATMENTA nutritional therapy and drug intervention system must be developed to suit every individual patient. The goal of these treatment methods should be to provide short-term control over intestinal inflammation through drug treatment, to prevent further complications, to lessen the instances of diarrhea and to improve the patient's overall well-being.Apart from taking medicines, natural methods are also used by many to deal with CD, such as the intake of herbs and application of homoeopathy. Although these two do not provide a cure for the disease itself, they do help a lot to ease the patient's pain and can also prevent the disease (for those who have a history of Crohn's in the family but haven't been diagnosed with it). Among herbs that help reduce the risk of having Crohn's is goldenseal. It lowers the probability of bacteria sticking to the intestinal wall. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, just like green tea. Other herbs with this characteristic are slippery elm, turmeric, and wild indigo. Professional homoeopaths, on the other hand, use homeopathic therapies to treat symptoms of Crohn's. Different kinds of remedies used in such therapies are mercurius, podophyllum, and veratrum album.Other alternatives to medicine in treating the symptoms of CD are hypnosis and other relaxation techniques. The good thing about these methods is that they can improve the patient's immune function and decrease feelings of stress and anxiety by treating the mind, without the use of any chemicals or natural agents.

It is not enough to raise your child just to comply with your obligation as a parent. As a concerned parent, you should be able to look for ways in order to enhance the growth of your child in all aspects. Sending your child to school is not the answer to your rising dilemma. Raising a child to become a well-rounded individual in the future must entail your dedication and open-mindedness as a parent.

You should be ready with all the possible responsibilities and obligations you have to face when raising a child. Enhancing the intellectual capabilities of your child might be easy to say and foresee. But in fact, parenting can be a very complex and difficult task to handle. There would be times that you’ll be on the verge of being fed up especially when you are fronted with stressing situations. In order to maximize the holistic development of your child, you must strive harder to look for suitable ways to stimulate your child’s mental or intellectual development.

In line with your child’s intellectual growth and progression, giving them proper education is not that sufficient. Education must start at home. Parents should be able to amplify means to rear their child and mold them into better individuals and citizens. The initial step would be encouraging them to perform as productive, respectful and sociable human beings. This aspect might be easy to say and understand, but the actual involvement of this approach might be very skeptical. More over, encouraging them with the above aspects can be a real hindrance if they are not executed well. Disciplinary actions for your children must be properly set. When we speak of discipline, it is not necessarily laying punishments or any act of violence against a mistake of your child. This strategy is not that healthy for a growing mind. If you wish to instill fear in them, they will most likely adopt your cruel means in the generations to come.

To further enhance the intellectual well-being of your child, learn to be affectionate to them. Ask them out and have frequent family discussions if possible. If you feel that your child is bothered with something, do not hesitate to ask him or her out. In such a way, he or she will find comfort and relief in your affection through your words and actions. He or she might as well gather much strength and confidence from you. On the other way around, if you established a fearsome relationship between you and you children, they will most likely keep secrets. This situation sets up a barrier between your communication and relationship the most. Do not just rely on what the school teaches your child. You should be able to have follow-ups or follow-through with his or her problems and needs. You should also help your child in coping up with the pressures of schooling. And above all, you should allot quality time with your children and create a harmonious learning environment for them.

Friday, 26 March 2010

"He is not the man/woman I used to know", are you confronted with this statement lately? A lot of relationships specifically married couples going through a difficult time of their marriage lives would definitely resort to coming up with this kind of account as the bond begins to damage itself mainly due to an unforgiving heart.The act of forgiving is something that most husbands and wives fail to endow with each other as pride and egoistic outlook stand in the way for absolute forgiveness. As the aphorism goes, "It is with a courageous heart for a person to ask for forgiveness yet, the one who provides pardon is considered noblest". It is easy to ask for forgiveness if you know you are the party who is at fault but it is even harder to ask for mercy if you do not commit any wrongdoing. These two have opposing circumstances yet, all roots to one thing and that is to ask and offer forgiveness.The concept of divorce now becomes a sensation in the world as some of couples’ way out from marital differences and issues are legal separation. Added to that, the marital connubial problem comes from both parties’ unwillingness to forgive and forget. To steer clear of fallacies and mistaken beliefs in forgiving a partner, here are the following lists of things married couples should do to let off marital issues, shun the idea of divorce, save the relationship and start anew:

When you forgive, you forget. The idea is indeed disheartening; you cannot easily forget a cheating husband/wife. This is a fact however, if your partner ask for another chance to prove his/her intentions, who are you not to give such pardon? Thus, when you say, "I forgive you", this line should be verbalized without a pain in the heart. What you speak of should mirror what your heart feels.When you forgive, you build trust once more. Again, the idea of trusting a person who makes a fool out of you is hard, so difficult that it breaks your heart by just thinking about the deed your partner has committed. However, you cannot go on with this forever and you need to settle matters to rest to avoid divorce and give your partner the trust that has vanished the day he/she allows the offense to happen.When you forgive, you give the relationship a fresh start. Forgiving means a whole new life for the both of you. It would not be easy to start life all over again yet; it will all be possible if both parties are seriously after in saving the marriage. You cannot wake up to a brand new day if your life is filled with cloudy and hazy outlook. Thus, a forgiving heart will be the only key to come to life and start all over again.A healthy relationship makes no room for remorse and hardhearted bearing. A heart who loves is a heart who knows how to say the words, "I forgive you; let’s start this one more time".

The task of choosing the right or more over the perfect school for your children is not that easy as it may look. This decision can be overshadowed by many contributing and necessary factors. As a responsible parent, you should keep in mind that you send your children to school to acquire quality and best education as possible. You should pour beyond extra efforts to find and assess a school that can give your child quality education.

Quality education is difficult to define. These words leave a heavy impact on the intellectual development of your child. Quality education should enable your child to become a well-rounded human being in the future. In choosing the right school for your children, the decision must not come from you alone. You should learn to consult other people and especially your own children. Ask your children about what they expect and like from the school.

First-time school children - usually toddlers are much reluctant about the idea of going to school. As a parent you should guide them and encourage them to enter school. Instill in them that school is fun. They will be able to meet new friends and do exciting activities. It is but normal for a toddler to feel afraid going to school. But it is a must that you mould them to be courageous and independent. In the first days of school, you can still guide and stay with them throughout the day. But as time will pass by, get them used to being left in school. You should constantly remind your children that they have their teachers in school. And just like mum and dad, the teachers will stay with them until the end of the school day. More over, your child’s classmates can distract him or her from the anxiety of being left alone.

In choosing the right school to achieve quality education of your child, you should be reminded of the following factors:

1. The Vision- Mission of the School2. Teachers and Administrators3. Teaching Approaches4. Facilities5. Security6. The Policies7. The Involvement of Parents

VISION- MISSION

You should be able to research on the school’s vision-mission. It should aim to enhance not only the intellectual or academic capabilities of your child. The school should mould your children into well-rounded individuals.

TEACHERSYou must be aware of the school’s image about its teachers and administration in general. They must be well-educated, respectable, and competent most of all.

TEACHING STRATEGIES

The methods of teaching must entail activities for the further development of your child in all aspects.

FACILITIES

The school should possess sufficient learning facilities for the education of your children. Computers and books should be well-supplemented to maximize the skills of school children.

SECURITY AND POLICIES

You should also feel secured about sending your child to school. The policies of the school should take full responsibility on any security measures to ensure your children’s safety.

PARENTS’ INVOLVEMENT

The organization of Parent-Teacher Associations must be well initiated and programs should take effect for the welfare of the students.

Cognitive behaviour therapy or CBT is a combination of cognitive as well as behaviour therapies. This therapy consists of two elements: cognitive and behaviour because the way we think is often a reflection of how we think about certain situations. In order to further understand this type of therapy, we need to discuss the 2 types of therapies namely behaviour therapy and cognitive therapy. Cognitive therapy involves the cognitive processes or our thoughts, attitudes, mental images etc. This therapy is based on how a certain manner of thinking can cause complications or health concerns. Some examples of these are depression, chronic anxiety and phobias not to mention related physical issues. The therapist tries to make the patient understand the patterns about their thoughts. The objective here is to determine which ideas are harmful or which are not and how harmful thoughts can be changed to a positive one. On the other hand, behaviour therapy is focused on modifying behaviours that are not beneficial. The techniques used in this therapy are varied. An example of behaviour therapy method is deep breathing, which is often used to calm a patient. Moving back to cognitive behaviour therapy,emphasis is given on behaviour therapy for the treatment of repetitive compulsive behaviour but for the treatment of depression, cognitive therapy is emphasized. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is often used for different conditions involving both physical as well as mental well-being. Phobias, depression, eating problems, anger, stress, drug abuse, sleeping problems as well as sexual issues and pain are often treated through CBT. Medical professionals believe that the more specific the concern is the better the chances that CBT can help resolve it. Depending on the problem and the severity, CBT may be used alone or with medications. The initial session of CBT is more on you and your therapist developing a common understanding of the issue. This is necessary to determine how your behaviour, ideas, feelings and thoughts impact your daily life. It is during this stage that you and your therapist will work on a treatment plan and agree on objectives. A session will last for an hour and is done at least once every week. CBT usually lasts for ten to fifteen weeks depending on the issue to be resolved and how complicated it is. Sometimes, CBT sessions are done over the phone. The victim must actively do his part and accomplish any assignment that is given during sessions or in between sessions. For example, if you have been diagnosed with social phobia, your therapist may ask you to write your thoughts on a diary particularly if you are growing anxious then later on you may asked to find and try ways on how you can cope with your anxiety. This is basically how Cognitive Behaviour Therapy works. It requires the active participation of both the patient and the therapist in order for this treatment resolve certain mental or physical conditions. Success cannot be guaranteed however CBT should work for various cases and positively help a patient.

Thursday, 25 March 2010

For most parents, raising a good child is easier said than done. It involves a great deal of compassion and patience, not to mention that it takes a lot of effort to imbibe strong moral values to very young individuals.

When teaching kids how to behave in different situations, parents often confuse morality and manners. Lack of manners should not be equated with lack of morals. Morality and manners are two different concepts, even if they both mean treating others with respect. Morality is concerned with conforming to the rules of right conduct. On the other hand, manners are mainly concerned with socially acceptable behaviors - not necessarily with morally right or wrong conduct. For example, not saying “Please” when asking favors or “Thank you” to show appreciation may be a sign of disrespect. Although this behavior may show lack of manners, it is not a sin because it does not violate any rules of morally right conduct. That being said, parents must understand that generations also differ. Morality, as well as manners, changes over time. Any behavior considered inappropriate in the 1960s may be regarded as socially acceptable three decades later.No person is born naturally good or bad. It is from the environment where children learn values and behaviors. Parents, siblings, teachers, and the media are influential in shaping children’s behavior. Children take their cues from their own experience, their conversations with parents and other adults about behavior, and watching how others behave. As kids grow and develop, they start to form their own moral values.Raising your children to be moral and aware of what is right or wrong can start as early as the infancy period. Make it a point to tell your kids about feelings by conveying words that express emotions. Also, show empathy while talking to them. Make it clear to your kids that feelings are different from actions. Help them understand that though it is all right for them to feel whatever they are feeling (i.e., anger, pain, sorrow), they should be careful with their actions. For example, if your toddler is angry with his playmate, tell him it is okay to be angry, but he cannot hit his friend. Your children need your guidance on finding ways to resolve conflict other than violence. Talking with your children about the effects of their behavior on other people not only teaches them to be sensitive and compassionate, but also helps develop their social and emotional skills.

As a parent, you are the main role model for your children. Whatever behavior you display, your children assume you’re doing the right thing. So it is very important that you watch your own values and behavior. Do a self-check: Do you respect other people especially in the presence of your children? Do you always consider other people’s feelings? Being a good listener and an open-minded person is a good step for instilling moral values to your children. However, be wary of using humiliation or violence in teaching morality to your children. Aside from hurting them and causing childhood trauma, violence may be used by your children when dealing with anger or frustration toward their peers.

One big factor that directly affects the intellectual development of children is the environmental factor. The intellectual development of a child is nurtured and flourished by the things and aspects he or she often sees and learns from the environment. There are many types of environment wherein children could maximize their abilities to learn. Each of these learning environments is equipped with several accompanying co-contributors in the improvement of a child’s intellectual ability. More over, these learning grounds for children are not just subdued to cognitive or academic learning. Intellectual development must be considered as a holistic growth and progression on the child’s emotional, moral and intellectual factors all rolled into one.The home is the foreground of a child’s learning. The child learns all of his or her firsts inside the house, with the guidance and perseverance of his or her parents. When we speak of home, this is not merely a place to dwell in. This must be a niche of all roots of learning. From the moment a child is introduced to the world through birth, parents should consistently monitor their child’s growth by teaching them the basic essentials for living. The home is where a child first learns how to walk, how to talk, and maximize his or her senses. The child must be progressively watched by the parents until he or she is able to identify things. While growing up, the child learns to observe scenarios happening inside the home. It is naturally healthy for a child to feel loved and see scenes inside the house that are harmonious and non-violent. A child growing inside a loving home can result to his or her further intellectual development.The school is the next big factor that contributes to the completion of a child’s intellectual development. By the time a child is ready to enter school, he or she learns to become more and more slightly independent from her parents’ midst. He or she learns to decide minor matters on his or her own discretion. A child must be trained intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, and cognitively inside the school through the help of competitive teachers. High School is the most crucial stage of distinction whether or not a teenager is learning. This age range is most likely the most radical in a growing child. During this stage, a child is often confronted with difficult situations having been influenced by many different characters such as his or her friends. The child’s activity can be greatly motivated by his or her friends rather than his or her parents. It is the role of parents, together with teachers to educate teenagers about choosing their friends wisely. Choosing appropriate friends can be a point wherein tough decisions are made by the child. He is furthermore challenged to discern what is good or harmful for him. His or her intellectual development grows into maturity if he or she often faces these circumstances.The community is another contributing factor or nature for a child’s intellectual development. The society influences and implies all things that a child should see and learn. The media is a prominent tool for learning. It depends entirely on the child if he or she wants to learn from those all sorts of things shown by the media.

Sunday, 21 March 2010

It is a part of human nature to feel tensed, self-conscious or downright shy when we are in front of many people. Sweaty palms, a fluttering stomach as well as a pounding heart are all natural specially when talking in front of a large crowd, asking someone for a date, etc. Most people can deal with these situations however for the others the anxiety or shyness can be too much to handle it becomes unbearable. Every time someone feels tensed or shy, eye contact or chatting with others can be very difficult. As a result socialization becomes a challenge. Extreme shyness or being too self-conscious is a condition known as social phobia. Social phobia, which is also known as social anxiety, is categorized as a kind of anxiety issue. Too much shyness and self-consciousness may develop into an overwhelming fear resulting in discomfort whenever faced with other human interaction or social situations. For social phobia, there is no problem with family or a few friendly interactions however, meeting other people or speaking in a group can trigger extreme shyness, too much fear of embarrassment or self-consciousness which may all interfere with the victim’s life. Just like any other type of phobia, social phobia is about a fear reaction to something that is not really there or is not dangerous at all. This means the body is exhibiting fight-flight response like shallow breathing, faster heartbeat or sweating which are all caused by the adrenaline and other bodily chemicals to prepare someone for a fight or an escape. Such a reaction is triggered by the body’s defense mechanism particularly when we are scared. This is a natural response, which alerts someone to danger in order to protect himself however with social phobia this happens far too frequently and very strongly. Sometimes, the extreme reaction is not appropriate anymore for a certain situation and because of this treatment is also needed for this type of disorder. The treatment used for social phobia is no different from the treatment used for simple phobia and agoraphobia. Medications such as tranquilizers and anxiolytics are often used for the cure of most phobias including social phobia. Tricyclic, an antidepressant is also used for the treatment of social phobia patients but is usually prescribed in smaller doses. This drug is known to control panic attacks. For severe forms of anxiety other drugs such as benzodiazepines are used together with the Tricyclic to desensitize behavior. Another antidepressant drug such as Imipramine is meant to block panic attacks and so with Clomipramine but this drug is more potent for those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. There are known side effects associated with these drugs. There are other medications, which are used for the management of anxiety of people suffering from social phobia. The prescription of each drug will depend on the severity of the phobia. Most drugs are effective in curing social phobia but if there is no obvious improvement of the victim’s condition, other therapies or other medications may be recommended.

Parenting is a very crucial and compelling aspect when it comes to the intellectual development of a child. Parenting might be a daunting task to undertake for some. But as an open-minded and an optimistic parent, we should strive and struggle hard in order to raise our children with all our purest efforts. Parenting is indeed the most rewarding obligation. More so, it is edifying and more fruitful if we come to see our children successful and well-regarded individuals in the future. Parents who have positive outlooks in life and good and meaningful disciplinary actions for their children most likely will succeed in this endeavour. Parents who are not mature enough and have a limited understanding on the joys and undertakings of parenthood, the result would be raising children like them. There are several types of parenting approaches, which are proven to be effective and sometimes wrong depending on many situations. Though each of them may differ in concepts, they share one and common aim- to raise children into successful and well- rounded individuals in the future.

A growing child superficially concludes that when his or her parents punish him or her for a mistake, he is not loved. During those tender ages, we parents are responsible in making them understand that punishment is not hatred. Disciplining them is expressing your desire to make them respectful. Violence on the other hand must not be tolerated inside the house. As a parent it is your responsibility to show your children a harmonious environment to live in. The intellectual development of the child starts at home with his or her parents’ intimate guidance. Child rearing is not merely a parental obligation. It must be instilled in parents that nurturing a child develops a child’s moral acts in the future. If violence is often seen inside the house, the child will most likely adopt the scenario in his or her adult life. At a young age, he or she was not educated about violence being a harmful ingredient in the intellectual and emotional growth.

Parents must initiate proper guidance. Monitoring your children’s behaviour must be properly implied. Set necessary rules inside the house if possible. And as much as possible, do not spoil your children. Giving them all what they want establishes poor intellectual growth for children. By the time you come to disappoint them by not giving what they ask for, they learn to implant hatred in their hearts. This is a very unhealthy start for their intellectual development as well. As a parent, learn to balance your approval on them. Do not let them get used of being favoured all the time. There must also be times that you turn them down in a good sense. In time, they will be able to understand the purpose of not giving all what they want.

On the other hand, manipulating your children’s decisions is not beneficial in their intellectual development at all. Most likely, children who have been barred from making their own decisions will become rebellious. Dictating what you know is best for them suppresses their intellectual and deciding prowess. Just let them decide on their own. You will just have to check closer on them from time to time. If you find something wrong, talk to them in a nice and fruitful way of discussion.

The intellectual development and growth of a child depends on many contributing factors. These factors have to be properly laid out and be instilled in the growing consciousness of a child. A child is known to have the fragile and innocent mind that is often influenced by many aspects. There is no exact approach to maximize the intellectual development of a child. It relies entirely on the nature of child rearing and the educational background of the child.At a tender age, children tend to mimic what they see around their environments. They tend to imitate adults and their characteristics. Children do not have yet the right discernment over what is true and wrong, what is appropriate or not, or what is the right decision from the wrong one. However, factors contributing to a child’s intellectual development can be actualized only if these matters are conceptualized with optimism and especially morality.Morality is indeed an ultimate companion in raising a child’s intellectual development. The intellectual capabilities of children are heightened when they are introduced to the world of morality. Intelligence cannot be measured or influenced by books or theories alone. Intelligence must entail practicality on issues especially on decision-making. At an early age, a child just follows instructions from the parents. He does not have the ability to decide wisely over his or her acts. By the time that he can independently decide on his own and his parents still dictate what they want, intellectual development will definitely be stalled.The role of parents is not to be dictatrixes of what they think is the best for their growing children. As a parent, it is really their obligation to steer them into the righteous path. But on the other hand, making them decide on their own is a plus factor in developing their intellectual capabilities. In line with morality, children being exposed in the sense of morality are more likely to make the right decisions in life. Morality teaches them to discern what is literally good from mistakes. Morality also creates and instills good values in them. Morality furthermore creates a fear for doing wrong and inappropriate acts.Secondly, a child’s intellectual development is further flourished by free will and freedom as a moral obligation. Free will and freedom can be counterparts in some aspects. Freedom is the independence to do things pointing to a good decision or result. Free will is simply doing the things we desire. Freedom and free will must fuse together to form moral obligation. If people do the things that they like and they turn out to be good or positive, it is then an obligation to nourish them further. Apart from deciding on our own free will, moral obligation lets us weigh circumstances and all the profitable benefits we could achieve in making the right decisions. Using freedom and free will however, is not simply a matter of choice. It is more of a moral responsibility that upholds our values and holistic development.

Friday, 19 March 2010

Dandelion (Taraxacum) is used in Germany as treatment for dyspepsia, an appetite stimulant, bile stimulator and diuretic. Dandelion roots are utilized for flatulence as well as the feeling of fullness and loss of appetite. Dried dandelion roots can also be used as a coffee alternative. Dandelions can be mixed in wines and salads.

Dandelion was traditionally used fro treating ailments in gallbladder, spleen and liver. It can be used as anti diabetic as well as a mild laxative.

Since dandelion contains potassium, it is helpful for kidney treatment as well as prevention of kidney stones. It is also known to have solvent and disinfectant properties that are effective on urinary calculi.

Dandelion roots have taraxalisin enzyme, which has hypoglycemic effects that may affect the immune system and the glucose level in the blood. It also fuels the production of nitric oxide that is necessary for the defense and regulation of the immune system.

According to researches, the use of dandelion is effective and safe, though if you have serious medical conditions, you must consult your doctor before taking dandelion. Numerous animal laboratory examinations recommend that dandelion have anti- inflammatory substances. The extract from dandelion flower has antioxidant properties and reports have shown that some patients who used herbal preparations with dandelion enhanced chronic pain connected with colitis. In addition, dandelion has effects in the levels of blood sugar in animals. Dandelion is proven to be effective in the improvement of the liver function for people who suffer in hepatitis B.

Usually, dandelion root is mixed with other herbs. Due to this fact, the medical effects of dandelion are not clear.

Several reactions regarding dandelion are GI or biliary tract blockage, GI discomfort, gallstones, certain allergic reactions, contact dermatitis and gallbladder inflammation. There is a higher risk of bleeding when dandelion is used together with other medications including anticoagulants or anti-platelet prescriptions such as heparin, aspirin, clopidrogrel, NSAIDs, warfarin and ticlopidine. The use of dandelion combined with anti diabetics may cause hypoglycemia and when it is used with anti hypertensive, it may cause addictive effects. The levels of blood ciprofloxacin may also decrease.

People with dandelion allergies, bile obstruction, ileus or empyema as well as those who have photosensitive dermatitis must avoid using dandelion.

The leaves, flowers, roots and stems of the dandelion plant are edible and can be used as herbal medication. Tinctures of dandelion may include fifteen to sixty percent alcohol that may not be suitable for alcoholic patients, people with liver disease and children. Those who are taking medications such as disulfiram or metronidazole should prevent dandelion usage.

Some people that have dandelion dermatitis may experience allergic reactions to sesquiterpene lactones. Gastric discomfort may also be experienced due to the bitter essence present in the dandelion leaves. It is recommended not to collect dandelion from lands that are treated with fertilizer or weed killer. Patients must not have dandelion therapy as a substitute for a diuretic that is prescribed by the doctor. If a person is using a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, it is best not to take dandelions due to possible decrease in the antibiotic levels in blood.

Neem Oil with botanical name of Azadica indica has originated from India and has been in use for centuries, both cosmetically and medicinally. This makes it one of the ancient medicines that are still being used today. So to say, Neem Oil is rightly a product that has survived the test of time. It has a pungent odor, thick viscosity and dark in color.Almost all the sections of the Neem tree have a use - the twigs, oil from nuts, and leaves. Neem trees are treasured all over India, and they are regarded as good luck.Neem oil is antiparasitic, antiseptic, antiviral and antibacterial. And because of these characteristics, it is broadly set up in many toiletries such as skin and hair care products, soap, and toothpaste.As a care for the body, Neem oil has many of the similar characteristics of the tea tree oil, but with no coarse terpene substance. Neem oil have exceptional high level contents of antioxidants, which help shelter the skin from free radicals brought about by environmental toxins, excessive exposure to sun, and other damaging rudiments. It is also rich in fatty acids that immerse in rapidly to relieve and nurture dry and itchy skin.For outdoor usage, it is a beneficial botanical substitute to fertilizers, repellents, and chemical pesticides. Neem oil is also used as a plants spray and soil additive. The components in Neem oil have been shown to keep your garden and plants healthy, while enhancing crop yields.Also, active components in Neem oil are conventional remedies for scalp and hair problems.Furthermore, Neem oil have intense an odor. It has to be diluted with water appropriately prior to adding it to your products, and there are also times that it needs to be heated to achieve the right consistency. Listed are a few uses of Neem Oil:· Can be use as hand soap; simply pour over to liquid soap for antibacterial effect.· To treat Athlete’s foot, add small droplets to foot soak and foot powder.· As cure for head lice and dandruff, mix with olive oil and then massage unto the scalp and hair. After one hour, rinse it out.· In soaps—add neem oil and use base for the soap.· To treat Acne-- combine a little amount into your facial cleanser and then apply to affected areas.· As garden pesticide-combine with water and castille soap, then spray on to plague-ridden plants as necessary. The spray mixture will choke the insects, and other insects will stay away from it.· As mosquito and bug repellent-Apply on skin together with lotion to put off bugs and mosquitoes.Neem oil is supposed to be for external use only that is why precautionary measure should be utilized if it is to be taken internally. And because Neem Oil has extraordinary strength it is suggested that user must be well-informed about this oil before usage. Pregnant women as well as children are strongly discouraged from using this oil.Continuous and prolong use of this oil has been associated with kidney and liver dysfunctions.Lastly, excessive dosage of Neem may possibly be hazardous and pose danger to health.

Wednesday, 17 March 2010

Spinach is a green leafy plant that locally grows mostly in Asian lands. With its scientific name Spinacia oleracea, Spinach has been a source of food ever since the ancient times.This flowering plant may look ordinary on the outside. While many individuals, kids in particular, are staying away to eat vegetables such as this, they have no idea what they were missing. Spinach is packed with more nutrients among other vegetables and even meats.Whenever spinach is mentioned, the famous cartoon character Popeye is involved. We saw him how his muscles bulged up and became very strong everytime he eats a can of spinach. This may appear quite exaggerated, but Popeye only wanted to tell us one thing: Spinach is enough to make us strong.Moving on, many will be surprised to know the nutritional content of just a hundred gram of this amazing plant. Below is the long list of nutrients that we can get from it:

1.Spinach contains a lot of Calcium that is enough to protect our bones and teeth from weakening.This is a rich source of Vitamin A which is known to help our eyesight be as perfect as possible and for our bones as well.2.Vitamin K – needed by our body to have a good digestion.3.Vitamin C – this is an antioxidant to serve as a shield of our body from stress and sickness. 4.Other sources of this vitamin are the other green vegetables and fruits – but Spinach stands out among them.5.Vitamin E – this nutrient is also largely found in spinach, which is the main ingredient of skin lotions, creams and shampoos.6.Folic Acid – good for the fetal brain development7.Folate – proven to lessen the risk of having broken arteries.8.Lutein is very rich in Spinach that is very reliable in the prevention of cataracts.9.Magnesium10.Iron – a nutrient that is needed by our body to have a healthy blood. Spinach has more iron compare with ground hamburger.11.Fiber – this helps our body to flush away the toxins produced by the food we eat to have a good digestion and prevent constipation.Just like a one package deal, Spinach almost has every nutrient that our body needs to perfectly healthy. Nutritionists and dieticians often recommend spinach and other green foods to prevent numerous harmful diseases that even cause deaths to people such as follows:1.Prostate Cancer – spinach and other green foods have cartenoids that causes the cancer cells to self-destruct and prevent it to multiply.2.Ovarian Cancer – studies had revealed that women who include spinach and other green leafy vegetables and fruits have lesser risk of having ovarian cancer3.Diabetic Heart Disease – since spinach is very rich in vitamin C, and A, health experts recommend it to be included to our daily diet to prevent such disease.4.Brain Malfunction – recent study shows that eating spinach protects our brain from declining its performance.Now, we now know that Popeye was right. Eating spinach may not make us lift the heaviest objects but it will definitely make our strong enough to prevent unwanted sickness.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a persistent herb that is indigenous to the Mediterranean. In the Deep South, thyme is very prone to insect infestation and plant diseases. This makes the southern gardeners to cultivate their thyme indoors in pots so that they can dutifully monitor and control the thyme’s growth and development. Many types of thyme get taller to merely six to twelve inches tall, and they can also make up for an eye-catching cover for the perennial shrub border. In summer, its pastel pink flowers blossom at the end of the stems with dark gray-green coloured leaves.Anyone who is interested in growing thyme can start with a few thyme seeds and then go on to the seed other varieties after some time. Thyme is best grown in summer and spring and it usually thrive better in dry, sandy soil with lots of sun exposure. If the in which you will plant the thyme in is acidic, it will be best to add some lime. On the other hand, if you the condition of where you live in have a cold weather, then save the plants from harm in winter through mulching heavily. When the plants are already growing steadily, the only care that it will need is the customary clipping of the plants and the elimination of dead flowers and trimming to take out old wood.Thyme leaves can be picked up for immediate use the whole summer, but the taste and aroma is most excellent just prior to the flowering time. To dry up, just chop the stems when the flowers are just about to start from opening and then hang in small clusters. Reap very carefully the first year.Uses of Thyme include:1. Gastronomic usesThyme has a lemony or concentrated flavour. And the taste is more robust when use just before flowering.· It is usually added to cottage cheese and in herb butters.· As marinade for fish and chicken, get tarragon and fresh twigs of thyme and mix with olive oil and red-wine vinegar.· It enhances the taste of poultry, meat, and fish dishes.2. Medicinal UsesIt is generally safe to use thyme as a seasoning when pregnant, however a strong doses is not recommended since it may cause intestinal problems.For use as an aid to digestion, treatment for intestinal parasites and cough remedy.A blend of thyme is usually advised for coughs, as well as those consequential from emphysema, bronchitis and whooping cough.Thyme is also added in herbal teas preparations for flu and colds.Stronger tea is very effective as a mouth rinse or mouthwash in order to cure sore gums.Finally, thyme has can treat athlete's foot because of its anti-fungal properties.Add two teaspoons of dried thyme herb per cup of hot water and then let steep for about ten minutes to make a tea. If you have a persistent cough just add sage to the tea.If after taking a dosage of thyme and you begun to experience bloating or diarrhoea, try to use lesser amount of thyme or better yet, stop its usage.

Tuesday, 16 March 2010

When was the last time you ate tomatoes? Have you had some tomato ketchup lately? Those who are big fans of tomato and tomato products may find below some more reasons to keep tomato on top of their diet list.A certain report states that tomato extracts can actually help lower or reduce blood pressure. Tomato extracts are said to contain a mix of antioxidants such as lycopene, beta-carotene, vitamin E and other phytonutrients, all considered potent. Lycopene is actually considered to be most the most effective among the natural carotenoids. Lycopene is defined as a bright red carotenoid pigment and is a phytochemical found in red fruits such as tomato. It is also said that lycopene in addition to the being the most effective carotenoid, is also the most common carotenoid in the human body. Lycopene prevents the oxidation of low density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterols, often termed as ‘bad’ cholesterol, which also reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and low blood pressure.Aside from lowering blood pressure, tomato extracts have also been cited by certain sources as excellent materials or dietary supplements for reducing the accumulation of platelets. This is important since accumulation of platelets, although important for bodily functions such as clotting, could lead to heart attacks and strokes under certain conditions. For instance, tomato extracts have been shown to prevent thrombosis, which is a major cause of heart attack or stroke.Another good news for those who regularly consume products with tomato extract is that it is shown to have properties that may help reduce cancer. For men, specifically, it my help prevent the occurrence of prostate cancer. It is said that the risk for prostate cancer may be lowered to as much as 30% for those who consume tomato products. This is, again, due to the lycopene content of tomato extract products which is though to observe oxygen-free radicals, thereby making the body less prone to cancer.More recent developments include the tomato being studied as a potential source of vaccine against bird flu. However, the vaccine will be used for chickens instead of on humans. Other viral diseases for which tomato is being studied as a potential cure is HIV and hepatitis B. These tomatoes are said to be genetically modified ones, though. These vaccines are being developed so they can be taken orally. However, at this point, it seems that it is only at the stage where it is being tested in clinical trials. Aside from this, it may only be developed as a vaccine, aiding in preventive measures, but not really as a cure for the HIV or hepatitis B.All in all, even if some of its healing properties are still being investigated at this point, there is no doubt that tomatoes still hold many wonderful properties that can help prevent or even cure certain conditions, especially those where the heart is concerned. So, for tomato extract consumers, keep on with the healthy habit and help keep your heart fit and strong.

Who would know that this sweet-tasting substance typically poured onto your pancakes for breakfast has extraordinary health benefits one can ever imagine. At first, honey is just used for those days where you often complain of an irritating and disturbing feel of a sore throat. You would normally put lemon and honey as a combination to eliminate discomfort and that’s all about it. However, through years of study, it has been proven that honey offers a lot of great advantages to ones body.Here are the following health benefits you can get from that sweet-tasting substance typically poured onto your pancakes for breakfast, honey:1. Honey is a good form of antioxidants. A daily dose will help purge the formation of harmful radicals in the body. A spoonful of this substance aids in providing the body with greater quantities of antioxidants.2. Honey is glucose and fructose rich making it a good alternative in healing wounds effectively. These forms of sugar has the ability to draw water quickly thus helping cuts, lesions and wounds to dry out swiftly.3. Since honey is sweet and more often than not much sweeter than sugar, people often equate it as unhealthy. However, honey is considered a good substitute for table sugar. It has loads of vitamin and mineral contents such as Zinc, Manganese, Vitamin B6, Calcium, Iron, Amino acids and a lot more.4. Honey strengthens the immune system. If you are looking for a natural remedy to boost immunity, you can simply get a dollop of honey to help prevent grave diseases like ulcer and cancer. It is also found that honey has the substance that helps in the development and improvement of body tissues which makes it a big factor towards maintaining good health.5. Honey is a good energy booster. This is not a common awareness and a lot of people fail to recognize what honey can do in providing strength and endurance. This has been used by people engage in a very active lifestyle making it a good source of carbohydrates.6. Cholesterol check. If you are suffering from high blood and this continues to become a major health threat on your part, a squirt of honey can incredibly lower your cholesterol. So, the next time you have your cholesterol checked; everything’s normal.7. A hygroscopic substance of honey serves as a perfect cosmetic element used for hair care, skin care and body care in general. Honey likewise makes up a good skin moisturizer bringing back the natural smoothness and suppleness of the skin.These are just some of the many health benefits that honey can provide both internally and externally. A person looking for a good honey to be part of a daily health regimen can look at some considerations in coming across a quality one. First, make certain that the pollen content is of excellent condition with no wax, no excessive pollen matters and no vague appearance. This similarly applies in the requirement of having lower water content to affirm that what you got is a honey of superior quality that is absolutely good for you.

Tuesday, 9 March 2010

Some of you may not be familiar with the terms Glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin. They sound medical and scientific and are not usually heard in everyday conversations. Simply put, though, they are substances that are naturally found in the body. Their function includes playing a role in cartilage formation and repair. Chondroitin sulfate actually plays a role in cartilage elasticity.Even though they are naturally found in the human body, both substances are also marketed as dietary or nutritional supplements. These are extracted from animal tissues such as those from crab, lobster and shrimp shells for glucosamine. Chondroitin sulfate, on the other hand, can be obtained from animal cartilage such as tracheas or shark cartilage.It is said that taking these supplements have positive effects for people suffering from osteoarthritis. The effects are similar to drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen, both anti-inflammatory drugs. Correlated with their role in the body when it comes to building and maintain cartilage, these nutritional or dietary supplements are also said to help slow down the deterioration of cartilage in the human body. They are apparently popular not only among those suffering from osteoarthritis or other forms of cartilage and joint conditions but also with athletes. Athletes use them mainly to help maintain their joints and soothe inflammation particularly if they are subjected to heavy training. Also, certain training may cause a breakdown in the joints and place athletes at a higher risk for osteoarthritis.Even if they are supplements and not really classified as drugs, care should also be taken when one is considering consuming them. A proper dosage can be consulted with your doctor. It is cited that in studies, only 1,500 mg of glucosamine was used and 1,200 mg was used on a per day basis. There are also side effects that may be encountered when taking Glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin nutritional supplements. Some of those identified and cited are increased intestinal gas and softened stools. They are also not recommended for children and for pregnant women. Another group of people cautioned when it comes to taking the supplements are those who are diabetic. This is mainly with regards to glucosamine, which is an amino sugar. It does not state that those with diabetes cannot take them but they are urged to have their blood sugar taken more often should they take this supplement. Chondroitin sulfate, on the other hand, have blood thinning properties and people taking other blood thinning medication should have their blood clotting checked. Also, those allergic to shellfish may also want to consult their doctor first.All in all, the interest in Glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin may be due to the fact that there are many people who would like to solve osteoarthritis because it is said that the steroids and drugs normally taken only serve to cure the symptoms and not really the roots of the disease. This is what doctors and patients may be hoping the supplement can do. Still, more studies are underway with regards to this.

Tuesday, 2 March 2010

The date palm is said to have been originated most likely somewhere in the desert oases of North Africa. Some sources say that it may have originated in the lands around the Persian Gulf and is said to have been especially abundant between the Nile and Euphrates rivers in ancient times.Among others, dates are said to have medicinal properties. These include its use as a detersive and astringent in intestinal troubles. What makes this possible is the tannin content of the fruit. Tannin is an astringent, meaning that it is a chemical that tends to shrink or contract body tissues. Medicines that are considered as astringent cause the mucous membranes or exposed tissues to shrink and are helpful for putting a check on discharge of blood serum or mucous secretions. When viewed in light of intestinal troubles, dates can have the same effect as astringent medicines when it comes to diarrhea, for instance. Date can also be administered in cases of sore throat, colds and bronchial catarrh. In cases such as these, date may be administered as an infusion, decoction, syrup or paste. Other health conditions for which date may be useful include fever, cystitis, gonorrhea, edema, liver and abdominal problems. Date is also said to be useful for counteracting alcohol intoxication. Aside from this, the date’s seed powder is also an active ingredient in a paste that’s used to relieve ague, which is a fever accompanied by chills and sweats, recurring at regular intervals such as in malaria.Aside from the fruits, there are also medicinal or herbal properties that can be extracted from other parts of the date palm. For instance, when the date palm trunk is wounded, a gum ensue which can be used to treat diarrhea (as mentioned above) and certain genito-urinary ailments. It is also said to be demulcent meaning that the composition includes agents or ingredients that form a soothing film over a mucous membrane. This is especially useful when treating irritations and inflammations in membranes such as those encountered when there is a cough. Dates are also said to be diuretic, which means that they can help a person urinate, possibly because of its’ other properties that can help the organs facilitate the removal of waste materials from the bodies. The roots of date palms can also be used for toothache. In addition to this, certain sources also place dates as a good source of iron and is also said to enhance sexual energy and fertility as well.Date palms are believed to be generally safe and there seems to be little mention of any contraindication when it comes to the date fruit. Perhaps this is because dates are viewed not as herbs but as fruits that have their own medicinal properties. However, in medicines or products that contain dates, it is still best to consult with a doctor when using it for the purposes of soothing or relieving a particular condition. Scarce mention, it seems, is also made regarding any harmful drug interaction.

Monday, 1 March 2010

Tea has been becoming more and more popular over the last several years because of its elements that contribute not only to health, but also to weight loss. And as we know, losing weight is something a lot of Americans are preoccupied with. Now even more popular than exercising and other physical activities, herbal drinks, capsules, and whatnots are what most people turn to in order to shake off a few pounds. Here are some facts about tea that you should know especially if you drink it several times a day.Green tea and black tea are derived from the leaves of the same plants. The only difference between these two is how the leaves are processed. Green tea is made by desiccating the leaves of the plant. Leaves for making black tea, on the other hand, are rolled and ground by a machine. Black tea gets its color and taste through the fermentation process.Yes, tea can help those who want to lose weight; it comes with zero calories if you drink it without sugar and milk. But body fats are not reduced by tea, tea doesn't melt them down. Although the ingredients in tea boost fat reduction by influencing brain activity, a visible result in your body could only be achieved by drinking too much tea. Yes, there's such a thing as too much tea. A tea overkill would mean indigestion, a nutrition (aluminium and manganese to name a few) overdose, and caffeine intolerance.Now to the flip side of the coin. Tea will do you more good than bad, if you drink it for the right reasons and in moderate quantities. Here are some of the reasons why you should be drinking tea:A Japanese study shows that the more tea you drink, the longer you live. In fact, drinking five cups of tea a day decreases your risk of having a stroke and a heart attack by 31%. Again though, make sure that you don't experience any of the side effects mentioned above because that would mean that your body has had enough tea already.Tea is good against cancer. The antioxidants in tea (in black tea more than in green tea) absorb free radicals in the body which damage cell membranes, the DNA, etc. Furthermore, drinking tea is said to help against breast cancer, stomach cancer, and colon cancer, even after the cancer has already appeared in the body.It's actually healthier to drink tea than water. Aside from just replacing the fluids in your body like water does, the antioxidants in tea also help you fight a number of diseases.A cup of tea is good for the teeth because believe it or not, tea actually contains fluoride.A final note: most herbal teas out there aren't tea at all. They are not derived from the same plant as green and black tea and therefore do not have the same health-promoting properties as real tea, so beware of herbal tea brands in the market that claim to burn calories down.